Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-01-19


stances, to wo:k in perfect harmony with
the administration.
4 1 do not, therefore, come before you
with the intention OF giving my views on
pending issues, or to detain you with q
lengthy speech, but l appear simply fol-
the purpose of complying with an estsb-
/ lished custom.
fully realize that l occupy the least
important position among the state off.
GERS. But feel that it is the duty of the
lowest, as well as of every other membe.
of the administration, to give to our chief
a cheerful support, and l here pledge my
fealty and promise to perform that duty
to the very best of my ability. l know
that | am authorized in saying that the
other members of the administration will
also do all in their power to- aid our wor-
thy and able executive in his efforts to
give to the people good government.
All true Texans have watched with
pride the advancement Of Texas. Within
the last twenty years, as if by magic,
she has sprung from the twentieth to the
eighth class among the states OF this great
Union. While we all rejoice in her great
prosperity and contemplate with pleasure
futu possibilities, We must not
forget that as there is al
increase in wealth and population,
the labors and responsibilities of those
who govern aud legislate also increase.
We can better appreciate the work re-
quired and the responsibility assume
when we think of the magnitude OF the
stste and the many interests which Will
demand attention. You have III der your
control territory of more than 1000
square miles, being more than 700 miles
wide and more than 500 miles long.
This vast domain possess within its
borders property valued on the tax-rolls
ct more than 100000 O., and is occu-
pied by an industrious, intelligent popu-
lation of at least 1000, 900.
! To make the lrgisl alton and govern
ment the more difficult Texas contains
valuable int rests which are peculiar to
Gated, and its great wealth is
made up Of many kinds of property
each OF which demands the most careful
legislation and wise government. While
the duties of the executive department
are many and its responsibilities weighty,
to the legislative more than to any other
| department will the people look for a
satisfactory solution of all great issues
Your body is the great creative power
| which gives to the state bad or whole
some laws. No person can contemplate
the difficult and important measures with
which you must deal without being i'm
pressed with the responsibilities which
surround you. No doubt each of you
fully appreciates the Importance of his
position, and realizes that his action on
all important questions may materially
affect the prosperity and happiness of the
entire people.
Many of you by past services have
pro Eed your devotion to the state and the
welfare of your fellow-citiz ms.
We think of your past record and re-
member that all of you are fresh from the
people, and are well informed en- all is
sues in which our people are so deeply
interested; and we fuI ther remember that
you are all Texans, good and true, and
that you earnestly desire to encourage by
proper legislation every interest of the
state; therefore none can have any sppre-
heDeion that al questions will not receive
that careful attention and wise DISPOSE
ton which the welfare of the whole state,
as well IS every portion of it msy de-
mand.
Diversity of opinion will no doubt pre-
vail on all important measures.
Every member undoubtedly has the
right to his opinion, and should be
allowed a full and free expression of this
opinion in all discussions. Yet all should,
and no doubt will, strive to arrive at
CORE ct conc3u ion on all questions, and
give to the state the very best legislation
possible.
True patriotism dictates that our own
peculiar views, when We can conscien-
tiously make the compromise, should be
subservient to the public good, and we
should not hesitate to make the sacrifice,
if necessary, to secure good government.
IL prejudice prevails on account Of sec
ton, or diversity of interest, it should not
be permitted to enter these legislative
halls or receive conside ration from any
legislator.
The rights, person and property, of the
most humble citizen should be
rigidly guarded, and every hon
orable vocation and valuable
Interest, which will bring wealth and
happiness to any considerable portion OF
the people, should be encouraged and
protected without regard to the residence
CT the citizen or the location of the inter |
est.
No wise legislator will deny that laws
which ale prejudiCial to the interests of |
any respectable class of our citizens, or
Injurious to any part Of the state, will
cripple the prosperity of the whole. II |
legislators would have peace and con-
tentment in every part of the state, let !
them vie with each other in their efforts
to enact laws suited to the peculiar inter-
est of each section, and to the good gov
Of the whole state.
In our intercourse with esch other as
officers and citizens, let it not
be forgotten that we are all Texans,
without regard to the section in which
we live. AS Texas soil was made sacred
by the blood of heroes, and was bequeath-
ed to US as one vast domain, let US, as
true Texans, love Texas, all of Texas, one
and undivided, now and forever.
Let the dear memories which cluster
around the heroes of the Texas revolu-
ton, together with the grateful recolltc-
ton OF all those noble men who have Ia
bored SO honestly and faithfully Tor
Texas, inspire ali with love for our en-
tire state; that will cause all to emulate
those in. ustrious warriors and statesmen
IN their devotion to every interest and sec
ton OF this grand commonwealth
With that pure patriotism and true devo-
ion to our state, eXemplitied by giving
20 her people just laws and wise govern
nent, Texas will continue to grow in